InterviewLeanne Kiernan's reaction to signing new contract: 'Liverpool is home for me'

The 25-year-old striker committed her future to the Reds on Monday and is now determined to repay the faith shown in her by manager Matt Beard.

Kiernan, who first joined Liverpool in 2021, played a major part in helping the team regain their Barclays Women’s Super League status when she netted 14 goals during the FA Women’s Championship title-winning campaign.

After suffering a serious injury on the first day of their return to the WSL, the Republic of Ireland international endured a long and frustrating spell on the sidelines.

But she returned to end the previous term in fine form, netting crucial goals against West Ham United and Chelsea before firing in a hat-trick on the final day at Leicester City to help her side claim a top-four finish.

As a result, Kiernan is raring to go for the WSL season opener versus Leicester at new home St Helens Stadium on Sunday September 22.

Read on as the No.9 spoke to Liverpoolfc.com shortly after signing her new deal…

On extending her stay with LFC Women…

It’s amazing, for sure. Liverpool is home for me, I’m just really enjoying myself here. I love the club, I love the fans, I love the people. We are very similar, the Irish and the Scousers, and I really feel at home here. It is massive for my family as well. Obviously they come over quite often, which is really nice, and it is the closest city to Dublin. They really enjoy coming over and when I told them I was getting a new contract they were ecstatic.

On what Liverpool means to her, the club and the city as a whole…

It has been amazing. I feel like I’ve been here now a while and it has been really enjoyable. I love the city, I love the coffee shops, I think I’ve tried every single restaurant in Liverpool. It’s just a cool vibe around it. Everybody is kind of outgoing and also easy-going too, so I feel like I fit right in.

On enjoying a fantastic end to the season with the goal against Chelsea and a hat-trick at Leicester…

I think it’s really important for me to pick up where I left off. I feel like I’ve worked hard over the summer and things are going pretty well, so I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and seeing all the fans once again. I do enjoy scoring goals and I can’t wait to put out some new celebrations this year. So, I’m really looking forward to it.

On wanting to repay the faith shown in her by Beard, having worked under him at West Ham and Liverpool…

Beardy is a great guy. He is actually the only coach I’ve ever had professionally in a club. I’ve been with him for the last seven years maybe. He is a really good guy and is also very understanding. If I need to go home [to Ireland], he’s very open to that too, which is really nice. He was really good when I got my long-term injury with my ankle, he really understood that when I got frustrated sometimes he would let me go and see my family. He is a great guy and I feel like I’ve learned so much and developed as a player under him. I really found my feet since moving to England.

On the competition for places in the front line following the summer arrivals of Olivia Smith and Cornelia Kapocs…

I think competition for places is a really good thing. You don’t want to be guaranteed to start every week because how are you going to improve as a player? So I think it’s made training more competitive. That is what we need because if you want to compete at the top level, you need everyone competing. We have made some brilliant signings, so I’m looking forward to playing alongside them.

On her relationship with the supporters…

It’s massive, their support. Even when we are playing the friendlies behind closed doors, it’s just not the same without the fans. I just think they are a massive part of how well we did last season. Their support doesn’t go unnoticed whether you are on the pitch or not playing – they are really important. It’s very similar to the men’s team as it’s just one big family and it’s really enjoyable.

On a new era with the move to St Helens …

We are going to see the stadium this week, so I’m looking forward to seeing it for the first time. I’m really excited. It’s a red stadium, a big stadium [and] I’ve heard we’ve got a really good pitch, so hopefully a lot of goals will come in St Helens.

• Buy tickets for LFC Women's friendly with Everton at St Helens Stadium